When I was a kid, my family would go out for ice cream every day during our family vacations. (Hey, some families visit amusem*nt parks… mine eats as much ice cream as humanly possible.)
My love of ice cream has led me to many of St. Louis’s fantastic ice cream shops, including microcreameries, classic ice cream joints, old-fashioned soda fountains, and frozen custard stands.
After all that sampling, here are my picks for the 9 best ice cream shops in St. Louis.
Contents
- Map of the Best Ice Cream Shops in St. Louis
- My personal favorite: Clementine’s
- Best classic ice cream shop: Serendipity
- Best frozen custard in St. Louis: Ted Drewes
- When you don’t feel like waiting in line at Ted Drewes: Mr. Wizard’s
- Most unique ice cream shop in St. Louis: Ices Plain and Fancy
- Best boozy ice cream drinks: The Fountain on Locust
- Best milkshakes in St. Louis: Tower Grove Creamery
- Most over-the-top ice cream drinks: The Soda Fountain
- Best gelato in St. Louis: Gelateria del Leone
Map of the Best Ice Cream Shops in St. Louis
My personal favorite: Clementine’s
In 2019, Clementine’s was named “Sexiest Ice Cream” by Oprah Magazine, and in my experience, Oprah is usually right. There was a time when I lived less than a block away from this microcreamery, and let’s just say it was a test of my willpower!
This shop makes ice cream in small batches with 100% all-natural ingredients, and it shows in the quality and taste. Clementine’s is truly some of the creamiest and most decadent ice cream I have ever tasted.
My favorite flavor is Midnight Pleasures, a triple dark chocolate ice cream made from Fair Trade African chocolate. But honestly, everything here is delicious.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try one of their boozy flavors, like maple bourbon or pink champagne sorbet. They also have vegan and non-dairy flavors.
- Address 1: 4715 Macklind Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
- Address 2: 730 De Mun Ave, Clayton, MO 63105
- Website: Clementine’s Creamery
Best classic ice cream shop: Serendipity
I have many fond memories of walking to Serendipity from campus with my college friends on warm spring evenings. When I found out a few months ago that their Webster Groves location was closing, I was devastated. However, this shop recently reopened in The Grove neighborhood, so thankfully I wasn’t sad for long.
My favorite ice cream flavor at Serendipity is the salted caramel, but they offer Thin Mint ice cream during certain times of the year, which is good enough that I often find myself hoping and praying that it becomes a permanent menu staple. They also have delicious homemade drumsticks and build-your-own ice cream sandwiches. No matter what you order, there’s no wrong decision!
Best frozen custard in St. Louis: Ted Drewes
Yes, I know that Ted Drewes is a frozen custard shop, but I’m pretty sure that it’s illegal for me to write about the St. Louis ice cream scene and not mention this iconic joint. I’ve been to many frozen custard places, and Ted Drewes tops them all.
Their custard is light and smooth, and they have plenty of decadent concretes and sundaes to choose from. My go-to is the Johnny Rabbit, made of vanilla custard, cherries, and chocolate chips. However, The Christy is a fan favorite, comprised of a warm brownie, vanilla custard, hot fudge, and whipped cream.
- Address 1: 6726 Chippewa St, St. Louis, MO 63109
- Address 2: 4224 S Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63111
- Website: Ted Drewes Frozen Custard
When you don’t feel like waiting in line at Ted Drewes: Mr. Wizard’s
Ted Drewes has a notoriously long line at all hours of the day and night, so I was thrilled when I discovered Mr. Wizard’s. This custard stand has got to be one of the most underrated joints in St. Louis.
While their custard isn’t exactly like Ted Drewes, it is fluffy, marshmallowy, and delicious. If you’re not in the mood for custard, this stand also serves incredible soft-serve ice cream.
- Address: 2101 S Big Bend Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63117
- Website: Mr. Wizards
Most unique ice cream shop in St. Louis: Ices Plain and Fancy
Ices Plain and Fancy is a nitro ice cream parlor, meaning that you can watch the staff flash-churn your ice cream at -321 degrees right before your eyes. The result is an ultra-smooth and silky treat.
Located in the historic Shaw neighborhood, Ices offers a variety of made-to-order nitro ice creams, boozy ice cream co*cktails, and non-dairy options. You can choose from several rotating seasonal flavors or classic flavors like German Chocolate, Dreamsicle, or Rocky Road.
Best boozy ice cream drinks: The Fountain on Locust
Whenever I want to feel bougie, I go to The Fountain on Locust for an ice cream martini. Located in the Grand Center Arts District, this is a great place to grab a drink after seeing a concert or show. With dim lighting, a vintage bar, and art deco murals throughout the space, they’ve nailed the “fun hangout” atmosphere.
The Fountain serves a variety of food and craft co*cktails, but most people come here for the ice cream. Between malts, milkshakes, ice cream desserts, and boozy ice cream co*cktails, there is plenty to choose from. I personally love the Grasshopper Martini, made with Creme de Menthe, Creme de Cocoa, and vanilla ice cream- it tastes just like a chocolate mint milkshake!
Best milkshakes in St. Louis: Tower Grove Creamery
Nestled in the vibrant Tower Grove neighborhood, Tower Grove Creamery gets its dairy shipped straight from Central Dairy in Jefferson City (known statewide for its incredible ice cream). While the ice cream at this shop is delicious, the shakes are even better! You can order a milkshake in any flavor, ranging from strawberry to Texas Pecan.
Most over-the-top ice cream drinks: The Soda Fountain
Located at Union Station, The Soda Fountain has a super playful environment and ultra-decadent ice cream, shakes, and desserts. The vibrant colors throughout the space, neon signs, and vintage-style booths make this restaurant feel like an authentic old-fashioned soda fountain.
This eatery has plenty of classic diner staples, like burgers, fries, and sandwiches, but most people come here for the ice cream.
You can order classic sundaes, shakes, and malts, and there is also a selection of “Freak Shakes,” which are over-the-top specialty milkshakes. For example, “A Very Happy Un-birthday” shake includes a vanilla-frosted rim, topped with whipped cream, a cherry, a rainbow pop, an entire snickerdoodle cookie, and an entire funfetti cupcake.
One of these shakes could feed a family of four!
Best gelato in St. Louis: Gelateria del Leone
My husband and I came to Gelateria del Leone on our first date, so maybe I’m biased, but I loved this place even before the date. You can order gelato in flavors like strawberry, chocolate hazelnut, and pistachio, all made from authentic Italian ingredients. This shop also serves a selection of coffee drinks, tea, and incredible pastries, which pair perfectly with the gelato.
The Gelateria has the cutest and coziest coffee shop vibe, with a charming patio in the back, perfect for summer evenings. Offering a lovely atmosphere and even better Italian treats, this is a must-visit shop in St. Louis!
FAQs
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is the most successful and widely known Midwest ice cream brand in recent years, with 20 scoop shops across the Midwest and South.
What is the most popular ice cream shop? ›
Baskin-Robbins
It's no surprise that the world's largest ice cream chain topped our list. With over 7,800 stores worldwide and 1,300 flavors of ice cream in their flavor bank, Baskin-Robbins has captured the hearts of ice cream lovers everywhere.
What is the number one ice cream store in the world? ›
Baskin Robbins is the largest ice-cream company with 7500 stores located in around 50 countries across the world. This global company was founded in the year 1946 with the merger of two ice cream shops.
What is the most popular ice cream shop in the US? ›
Dairy Queen
According to Foody Data, Dairy Queen is the most popular ice cream shop in America, boasting over 4,000 locations in its corporate franchise chain.
What is the #1 ice cream in America? ›
1. Vanilla. Above all types of ice cream flavors, vanilla is America's favorite for a reason: it's simple and it goes with everything.
What is Americas #1 ice cream flavor? ›
YouGov asked 1,000 U.S. adults about their favorite ice cream flavor, and many Americans ranked vanilla and chocolate at the top. Closely following America's most popular flavors were strawberry, cookies and cream, and chocolate chip.
What are the 3 most popular ice creams? ›
YouGov asked 1,000 U.S. adults about their favorite ice cream flavor, and many Americans ranked vanilla and chocolate at the top. Closely following America's most popular flavors were strawberry, cookies and cream, and chocolate chip.
What is the oldest ice cream shop? ›
Bassett's Ice Cream of Philadelphia is reportedly the oldest ice cream parlor in the country. Lewis Bassett used a mule-powered butter churn to make ice cream in the backyard of his New Jersey home in 1861.
What is the most loved ice cream? ›
Vanilla Ice Cream
This is a no-brainer. Vanilla is the most popular ice cream flavor in the world so it only makes sense to start this list with vanilla ice cream.
Which US city has the best ice cream? ›
Zoom in to find the top cities for ice cream!
| Rank | City | Variety Score** |
|---|
| – | National Average | 84 |
| 1 | Oklahoma City, OK | 89.7 |
| 2 | New Orleans, LA | 70.8 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | 98.3 |
39 more rowsJul 18, 2022
Bassetts Ice Cream was founded in 1861 — when Abraham Lincoln was in office — and its original ice cream was created by mule power (via Bassetts Ice Cream).
What are the top 10 brands of ice cream? ›
The Top 10 Ice Cream Brands in the USA
- Ben & Jerry's.
- Baskin-Robbins.
- Haagen-Dazs.
- Talenti.
- Blue Bell.
- Tillamook.
- Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams.
- Graeter's Ice Cream.
California eats the most ice cream
If you're picturing soaking up the sun in California right now, you have the right idea. California is the state that likes ice cream the most, according to research from Gravy Analytics compiled by Zippia.
Where is the ice cream capital of the United States? ›
Visit Le Mars, Iowa: the Ice Cream Capital of the World and Much More.
What ice cream shop has the most flavors? ›
Coromoto is known for offering 860 ice cream flavors, although only around 60 to 75, are sold each day. Among others, the store sells garlic ice cream and chili ice cream, as well as quirkier-sounding flavors such as "British Airways" and "Viagra Hope".
What is the oldest ice cream in America? ›
A fifth-generation family business in Philadelphia, Bassetts Ice Cream is proudly known as America's oldest ice cream company.
What is the least liked ice cream flavor? ›
Birthday cake ice cream is an ice cream made with birthday cake batter and flavorings, including sprinkles. However, it comes in as the joint least favorite flavor for Americans, with only 2 percent choosing it as their top flavor.
Who eats most ice cream? ›
New Zealand consumes the most ice cream per capita
Other countries of ice cream lovers include the US, where an impressive 20.8 liters are eaten per capita; and Australia, where each person puts away 18 liters.
What flavor is Trump ice cream? ›
Ben & Jerry's launches Donald Trump-inspired ice cream flavor, Pecan Resist.
What ice cream is 3 flavor in one? ›
Neapolitan ice cream, also sometimes called Harlequin ice cream, is a type of ice cream composed of three separate flavors (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) arranged side by side in the same container, usually without any packaging in between.
Plain or unflavored ice cream is a type of ice cream that doesn't have any added flavors or toppings. It's made from the same base ingredients as other ice creams, such as milk, cream, sugar, and sometimes eggs. However, without the added flavors, it has a simple and pure taste.
What is ice cream called in Italy? ›
Gelato is a frozen dessert of Italian origin, similar to ice cream. In fact, “Gelato” simply means “ice cream” in Italian. However, this ice cream has a softer, more velvety texture than American ice cream. Gelato typically contains 70% less air and more flavoring than other kinds of ice cream.
What was the first ice cream flavor? ›
As far as modern ice cream flavors go, chocolate was likely invented first, according to Sarah Lohman, a food historian and author of Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine.
What is the most popular flavor in the world? ›
The World's Favorite Flavor
According to Datassential, 81% of consumers love or like vanilla and 94% have tried it.
What is a ice cream headache called? ›
Brain freeze, otherwise known as ice cream headache, is technically known as cold neuralgia or sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia. Big words for a short— but-agonizing— episode.
What is an ice cream headache? ›
Technically known as cold-stimulus headaches, an ice cream headache is set off when an unusually cold substance passes over the palate and back of the throat. Typical triggers include blended icy drinks, ice water and frozen treats such as ice cream, particularly when consumed rapidly on a warm day.
What do you call a person who serves ice cream? ›
confectioner. / (kənˈfɛkʃənə) / noun.
What flavor is purple ice cream? ›
Ube ice cream is a craze everywhere right now, at least partly because its bright purple color is very photogenic. Hello, Instagram! This flavor is definitely not for those who shy from adventure.
Who invented ice cream? ›
Italian Ices
The first European ice creams and water ices (sherbets) were likely made in Italy during the early 1600s (a century after a teenaged Catherine de Medici departed Florence to become queen of France).
What city eats the most ice cream? ›
This infographic from Bundle pinpoints what cities and states consume the most ice cream and frozen yogurt per capita. It turns out the residents of Long Beach, California enjoy it the most. Dallas came in second while the Philadelphia ranked third.
Another study conducted by NPD Group in 2021 found that adults aged 18-54 were the most likely age group to consume ice cream on a regular basis, with 41% of respondents in this age group reporting that they ate ice cream at least once a week.
What state is most ice cream made? ›
California is the nation's largest ice cream producer. The most popular ice cream flavors in the nation are Vanilla, Chocolate, Neapolitan and Strawberry.
Which brand is real ice cream? ›
Amul is the first choice of so many ice cream lovers in India. Amul brand, owned by Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), was established in 1946 in Anand, Gujarat.
Does ice cream have eggs? ›
While commercially manufactured ice cream is typically made with pasteurized eggs or egg products, recipes for homemade ice cream often use raw eggs in the base mixture.
Which country invented ice cream? ›
The earliest evidence of anything approaching ice cream being made was in China in the Tang period (A.D. 618-907). Buffalo, cows' and goats' milk was heated and allowed to ferment. This 'yoghurt' was then mixed with flour for thickening, camphor (yes camphor!) for flavour and 'refrigerated' before being served.
What is the most expensive ice cream brands? ›
Earlier this week, the Guinness Book of World Records confirmed that Cellato set a new record for the World's Most Expensive Ice Cream. The ice cream, called “Byakuya,” is a combination of white truffles imported from Alba, Italy; Parmigiano Reggiano cheese; and sake lees, a byproduct of the sake production process.
What is the healthiest ice cream to eat? ›
A quick look at Healthline's picks for the best ice cream
- Best overall: Halo Top.
- Best gelato: Talenti Organic Gelato.
- Best organic: 365 Everyday Value Organic Ice Cream.
- Best vegan: NadaMoo!
- Best plant-based: Cado.
- Best dairy-free: Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy.
- Best lactose-free keto: Rebel Keto Ice Cream.
Table Of Content – Branded Ice Cream
- Amul Ice cream.
- Kwality.
- Mother Dairy.
- Vadilal branded ice cream.
- Havmor.
- Creambell Ice Cream.
- Dinshaw's Ice Cream.
- Baskin Robbins branded ice cream.
The 1933 World's Fair, which took place in Chicago, brought frozen custard to the Midwest. It caught on quickly, especially in Wisconsin. The not-so-secret secret of the dessert's popularity in the region can probably be credited to the abundance of dairy products and farms in the Midwest.
Is Blue Moon Ice Cream a Midwest thing? ›
Blue moon is an ice cream flavor with bright blue coloring, available in the Upper Midwest of the United States. Multiple cities in the region claim to be the originator, with the popular theories including Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan.
About Michigan Ice Cream
What is this? Michigan is said to be responsible for bringing Superman ice cream, that unmistakeable red, yellow and blue concoction, to the world.
Which brand ice cream is best? ›
Table Of Content – Branded Ice Cream
- Amul Ice cream.
- Kwality.
- Mother Dairy.
- Vadilal branded ice cream.
- Havmor.
- Creambell Ice Cream.
- Dinshaw's Ice Cream.
- Baskin Robbins branded ice cream.
32 Best Ice Cream Flavors
- Chocolate. iStock. ...
- Vanilla. scoop of lemon ice cream isolated on white background. ...
- Strawberry. iStock. ...
- Mint Chocolate Chip. iStock. ...
- Butter Pecan. iStock. ...
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. iStock. ...
- Cookies n' Cream. iStock. ...
- Rocky Road. iStock.
Superman Ice Cream Frequently Asked Questions
It's a strawberry-flavored soda pop made by Faygo, a Michigan soda pop maker.
Is Superman Ice Cream only in the Midwest? ›
In fact, you can find it almost exclusively in Michigan. Only a few other states in the region have it, and there really is no substitute for the Michigan summer-y goodness that is Superman Ice Cream!
What ice cream tastes like Fruit Loops? ›
Just like the milk in the bottom of a Fruit Loops bowl, this tasty ice cream has a sweet Fruit Loops taste and a wacky blue color. Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream has been crafted in Madison, Wisconsin, with real cane sugar, Wisconsin milk and the best ingredients we can find since 1962.
Why is it called dirty ice cream? ›
Commercial ice cream giants like Arce Dairy, Esmerald, Darchelle, Magnolia, Nestlé, and Selecta, likewise, started copying local flavors and also started selling their products in sorbetero carts. Sorbetes acquired the name "dirty ice cream" as a joke, due to the fact that it is sold on the streets.
What is pothole ice cream? ›
Chocolate ice cream swirled with black tar fudge with crushed chocolate cookie gravel asphalt chocolate chips. Making the world Friendly one scoop at a time!
